Three words immediately come to my mind with this episode: Oh my God! This week's So You Think You Can Dance came at us with the final dance-off. Four dancers competed, and this time next week only one will be named winner. If you think the level of competition had been tough up to this point, tonight blew all previous weeks out of the water with the dancing and skill demonstrated by the dancers. One dancer stood out from the remaining four, but before I tell you who I think should win this competition, let's talk about this week's episode.
Each episode begins with the elimination of two dancers. This week's eliminations were definitely a shocker. Five million votes were cast for this elimination round. The surprise here was that Blake was eliminated. Week after week, he had danced well. He never entered the lowest scoring couples for possible elimination. The first time he is put up for America's votes he is sent home.
Even with all his experience and skill, America still chose him. Why is that? I have some thoughts, and I'm sure others do as well. Early on in the competition, he had been just a little too cocky. He'd made some not so nice comments about one of the judges, Dan Karaty. Did this come back to bite him now? Did America remember? This is only one possible theory. I'm sure others will have their own.
The other dancer sent home tonight was Kamilah. Week after week, she performed well. Her technique is there, and she is a wonderful dancer, but as the weeks continued on it became apparent to the judges that Kamilah is a performer. She is an actress, and this is a part of her dancing. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but at times it felt as though Kamilah was more performing than dancing, resulting in her elimination.
Once the eliminations were complete, we moved onto what America had been waiting all week for: The Final Dance-Off!
The format of this week's program completely changed once again. Gone was the random selection process. We also saw all five judges on the stage ready to give their commentary. All the dancers had the opportunity to dance with each other. The men and women were paired off for one dance each. Very interesting seeing the two remaining men and women dance with each other here. Solo performances were also shown throughout the show.
The skill shown here by each of the remaining four dancers was amazing. They stepped up and showed their best for the finals. We have the best of what remains, and now it is up America to choose the best of the best.
We began tonight's competition with a pasa doble by Melody and Nick. This couple dominated last week with their disco and Broadway performances. They lit up the dance floor once again. The judges absolutely loved them.
Nick and Melody were followed by an Ashle and Jamile with a salsa performance. The judges were loving Ashle here, but were quite harsh on Jamile. Out of four dancer's left, he has the least amount of technical skill, and when he dances out of his style it shows. He is an amazing hip hop dancer, but he seems to falter a bit when it comes to ballroom (specifically).
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Julane
Thank you so much, Gina--I needed that. I needed it because my @#%$^ cable checked out about 1/3 of the way through the show. I did see the eliminations, the paso doble by Nick and Melody, and Jamile and Melody's salsa, then right after the commercial break was over I got black-and-white snow for the rest of the hour. :-(
I was surprised that Blake went home and I agree it had to be his attitude because he certainly is an unbelievably skilled dancer and gymnast. I think people probably voted for the person they liked the most, and as many people have mentioned Blake doesn't have the likeability. I don't think he is going to let that get to him, and I think he will do just fine in the dance world--I'm not worried about him. Having watched the series and the performances that I did see, I must agree that Nick deserves to win with Ashlé a close second.
In a day or two I will go online to look at that move-of-the-week thing they have on the show's website, which will probably give me a good idea of what the rest of the performances were like. During whatever show they do next week they will probably reprise or excerpt this week's performances as they have done in the past. It's too bad that I missed the rest of the show after coming this far, but I am already over it. *grin*
What does everyone else think?
2 - Kristin
I think Nick deserves to win. I felt a little sorry for Jamile -- he looked uncomfortable throughout the whole show. Blake still appeared cocky. He seemed stunned to be let go.
3 - Carmen
Blake should have been the winner for the best overall dancer, attitude should not count. Jamile is not a good overall performer, but the other 3 that are left are equal. I also think Nick will win since he has it all but any except Jamile would be fair. I think all along the pairing was unfair especially when some drew the same partner 2 or 3 times. I hope they change that for the next show. We never missed a show and can hardly wait for the next set of dancers.
4 - Jacq
I have watched and loved this show from the beginning, but switched it off after Blake was eliminated. In my opinion he was clearly the best, most consistent and versatile dancer out there. It is a shame that America can't see past the fact that it is not a popularity contest but a contest of who is in fact the best dancer. (That Jamile who is out of his element in every other style is still around is definitely indicative of this). Blake was head and shoulders above the rest (with Nick running a very close second) and had every right to be stunned. He was portrayed as being cocky and arrogant which he may have been, but that was probably played up by the editing crew (every show has to have a villian) and unfortunately the voters couldn't see past the politics to what a wonderful dancer he is. That said, I really hope that Nick wins, he and Blake were both my favourites from the get-go, but unfortunately I am so disgusted by the voters lack of judgement, I won't be tuning in to see.
5 - Carmen
I am also shocked about Blake being eliminated. I think just because of his cockiness he should not have been eliminiated. His attitude is what gives him such an edge on his style of dance. He is by far the best one out of all of them and has always outperformed each dancer. I turned the channel after this was done as the voters obviously are not dancers and do not know what it takes to come to that level of dance boooo to the voters!!
6 - Janet
Yeah Blake's elimination was a surprise but what people have to remember, he is a professional! He has amazing talent but why not give the others a chance? My opinion, there should be a rule that professionals cannot join this competition.
With that being said, NICK is by far my favorite. While I had been debating on who I thought had more talent, Nick or Blake, Nick has certainly gone from great to unf*ckingbelievable! His talent blows the others away with Melody being my second choice. All I have to say, if Jamile wins, the viewers truly have NO IDEA how to assess talent (I mean, he's great at hip hop but he is just not the overall best dancer)!!!
7 - elizabeth
Blake should not have been kicked off. Jamile is a much weaker performer. He is great at hip hop but is not versatile in his dancing. Although I think Nick is great, I think Ashle deserves to win. She is much more versatile when it comes to the different styles of dancing. She is my favorite by a country mile.
Elizabeth
8 - trely
I am upset that I forgot all about the show. Me and my 7 yr. old son followed the show from the beginning and when I remembered it was already 9:00pm.
I am shocked and surprised Blake got eliminated. He is truly a fine and excellent dancer. Jamile should have been eliminated way before other had.
Is there going to be a re-run for the last night's show? I hope so. I'd really love to see it.
9 - evylution
ya so my cable went out to --grrr. i missed the last dances after the slasa routine...shame shame shame on America, but these are the same folks who voted for Rubin (biggest waste of a career imop). Blake will be fine in the future (he did lose on Star Search as well you know) even though he wasnt my favored to win we have to realise the folks voting out there. all my pals from far away say Americans are idiots and sometimes i tend to agree, but we are the same nation that voted off one of the most talented lyrical dancer on the show, before we voted off the best breakdancer. why? because the public doesnt "get" the other forms of dancing. long story short, if they had made categories artem would have won for ballroom, ryan would have won for breakin', jamile for hip hop, but its just a shame they have to be put up against eachother..oh well it's not my show.
10 - caitlin
omg i can't belive that blake went home!:| nick and melody are my favorites tho...there just something about ashley that i don't like!:S but i thinnk that nick will win for sure! thanks for theupdate!
11 - jim
blake went home because although he is the better all around dancer by far, Jamile's solo dancing (which is the last thing you see) is far more exciting to watch and will more likely appeal to the average person who is going to call.
12 - DanceLover
I agree that Nick is the best right now and he deserves to win!! But knowing America's voting... What were they thinking?! I just couldn't believe Blake went home! It's obvious he is the BEST! I agree it's due to him being cocky earlier but I also think it's because he is Canadian! Not fair. I hope Nick wins.
13 - Jherryd Jhordynn
I had my VCR set to tape the show (As I work nights). Our local channel broadcasted the show at a different time than in the TV. guide. I was quite po'd after never having missed one minute of the entire series. I appreciate the great detailed writeup at least I know verbally and can imagine visually what transpired. Shocked would be an understatement!!! Blake voted off over Jamile! I really can't believe that viewing America voted that way. I think everyone including the judges were antiscipating the fabulous dance off that would have resulted between Blake and Nick. Ashle I can see being in the final four but it should have never come down to Melody being there over Kamilah in my opinion. Talk about poor taste and bad eyes on the part of the American voters. Get real for goodness sake!!! The whole premise of the show is to find the BEST ALL ROUND DANCER....Jamile, Melody hardly qualify. I thought and hoped it would boil down to seeing Blake & Nick challenge each other for the number one position. I thought this would occur but never had any doubt that Blake was head over heels ahead and better than anyone else. Nick was my second choice with Ashlee a close third. I'm glad I never SAW Blake voted out and I must admit that without him in the finals my interest is only anti-climatic. I am cheering for Nick, and he SHOULD win for his popularity, personality and overall second best dancer on the show. I think the show itself is better than any on T.V. for the REALITY category ever. I would like to go on record saying shows that allow the outcome to be decided solely by the voting American public usually disappoint me 9 out of 10 times. American Idol, Last Comic Standing , Dancing with the stars, and So You Think You Can Dance the results are purely subjective, mainly based on POPULARITY not talent. Every one who watched So You Think You Can Dance think it will be the number one show on T.V. The viewers I know or have talked to ALL thought Blake was best and deserved to win. However, not one of them voted because "he was going to win" in their estimation. I bet there is a lot of people who wished they had voted now that it's too late! Blake will do well without winning but he was deserving of the honor and glory that comes from being the best. He was robbed by his very own fans who didn't see the need to act on their beliefs, get off their complacit a!!! and pick up the phone. I don't think his attitude at the start hurt him as much as people would like to believe. He had adjusted and corrected his cockiness and was clearly the judges favorite never having been their choice to be in the vote offs. It was the weakness of his partner that put him there finally. The only reason he didn't win is because the people he counted on to vote let him down!
14 - Julane
Is it just me, or did we hear from all the Nick fans last week and the Blake fans this week? ;-)
FYI the Fox website has not yet been updated with this week's "move of the week" clips. I will be watching for that and will post the link when it happens so anyone else who missed part or all of the show can at least see that. I sure hope they recap the high points next week--I'm sure they will, because what else are they going to show for a whole hour when nobody is competing?
15 - Debbi
If Blake had just kept his cocky mouth shut and feigned a little humility, he would have won the whole thing, no doubt about it. He really was the best dancer. However, I found it impossible to move past his attitude and I quickly became a Nick fan.
Nick is almost as talented a dancer as Blake, but when you factor Nick's personality into his performance, it made him much more fun to watch.
I started out as a Melody fan, but after seeing the same stuff every week in her solo, I became so bored i couldn't stand it. It was always the same thing...leg lift, lean back and throw head around, touch finger to chin and give a cute smile...always the same. At the end I enjoyed Ashle's performaces much better.
That being said, I think if Nick doesn't win I'll be mad. But if the winner is Ashle instead, I could stomach it.
Now let's talk Jamile. What the heck was that???? The only thing he could do well was pop and lock. That's it. I think he was this show's Scott Savol and John Stevens. I never checked that website "vote for the worst", but I'm sure if they had a patsy for this show, Jamile was the one. He should have been the first to go. I think Jamile was tied with Allan (loved him) for the worst of the guys. Jonnis, Craig, Artem and even Ryan was better than Jamile. If Jamile wins, I swear I won't be able to watch this show next season.
Oh, and by the way, Mary is a big freak, and not the "good freak". That chick scares me. She wears outfits with buzzard feathers around the collar and howls like a banchee. She's like the dominatrix choreographer from hell!
Did you catch Brian trying to influence the voting. He told Ashle that she was by far the most versatile dancer after her last performance, and as the judges gave their final comments, he told American to vote for the "most versative dancer". Okay, so we know he thinks Ashle should win.
There are supposed to be some surprise guests next week on the show. My guess is that all of the former dancers will come back for a big choregraphed song. I also predict an appearance by Paula Abdul - although, if they were smart, they wouldn't.
16 - Debbi
One thing I forgot to add -
It would have been funny to see Jamile attempt a modern Mia Michael's routine. That would have been a total train wreck!
17 - Joyce
I was happy everyone got it right Blake was too cocky for his own good and by the look I saw on his face he thought he was going to be the winner.
I think the judges have their favorites and were always harsh with Jamile who was entertaining but should he win (don't think so)
I think Nick is the one who should win it all or Ashle (at first I was not an Ashle fan but she has something that just makes you want to watch her, in her solo's though she always does the toes up like Melody and the leg), I think Melody was good but a little on the boring side. (also tired of the leg up)
18 - liz
I'm wondering if it's just possible that the vote by white americans was split between Blake and Nick, while Jamile appealed mainly to the african american audience. Just asking. I also thought that Blake looked absolutely stunned that he was eliminated.... as if it couldn't possibly happen to him... perhaps a little humility might have garnered him more votes... that being said, he is astonishing, but I'm pulling for Nick
liz
19 - Victoria
Well, I recorded the show on the DVR last night. I just watched it TWICE and saved it to watch again later. It had the most awesome performances I have ever seen! You could tell the dancers were pulling out all the stops (except for Jamile who didn't really get going till towards the end). I agree with Regina, three words, OH MY GOD!
That said, I'm glad I'd heard the rumor that Blake was being voted off or I'd be totally stunned and speechless. I was somewhat prepared for the outcome. I think he was indeed cocky and arrogant in the beginning but he kept his mouth shut later and appeared humble. I can't help but think that inside he still felt he was miles better than everyone else. He still was one hell of a dancer and it would've been tough to decide between Blake and Nick. I would not have voted him off for his attitude. It's not a popularity contest. Anyway, I think his leaving was because people were voting to keep their favorite on, those who might be in jeopardy, and they probably assumed Blake didn't need the votes. How wrong they were.
My favorite, hands down, is Nick. He is just incredible and deserves to win. I'm disappointed that we didn't get to see a Blake/Nick dance-off, and in my opinion, Nick out-danced Jamile at their hip-hop performance, which says alot about his ability since Jamile is awesome at hip-hop/lock/pop.
Last week Melody was my favorite girl and she did a great job this week. But I think Ashle outdanced her. And their dance-off was, in my opinion, the best dance of the entire season. It just blew me away. The Ashle/Nick jazz/hip-hop/whatever-you-want-to-call-it dance pairing was incredible. Both girls are really good!
I think Nick should win. And in my mind, Ashle and Melody are tied for second. Jamile improved and was quite impressive later on in the show, but I don't think he is as good as the others overall. Go Nick!
20 - Julane
Victoria, where do you live? I want to come over to your house and watch your recording of last night's show. ;-)
21 - Victoria
New York! C'mon over! lol
P.S. I'd send ya a copy but it's on DVR, not video. :(
22 - eddie
I think Blake lost because he has never been in the bottom, so he never built a base of support.
He was by far the best dancer...
You had a situation where all the fans said to themselves...
Ah, I need to vote for Jamile, Melody the leg lifter, etc.. becuase we know Blak is guaranteed to be there.
He just never got the votes because everyone thought he was a shoe in.
It's the judes fault! :)
23 - Kaime Dos
What a shame, now that Blake has been eliminated. America, what happened?? Too many bad votes on your reality shows. This is a dance competion, not a personality contest. Blake has everything required in a great dancer (he definitely has the IT factor, Nick is really very good too, but does not have the IT factor yet, maybe one day!!!).
I too have watched this program from day one and even though Blake had a bad attitude at the beginning of the show he did change for the better. Attitudes aside, he truly is by far the BEST dancer on the show and no matter what, he should be proud of himself.
I am sorry I could not vote for Blake, as I am watching this program from Canada - we do get to watch the same programs that is seen in the US, how I wish I could have voted for Clay Aiken too.
Oh well, too bad, I guess now Nick will win (if America votes correctly this time) as there is no real competition left, and we will never get a chance to watch a great dance off between Blake #1 and Nick #2.
24 - SK
I think Nick has been improving tremendously each and every week. Blake has been a consistent dancer but I was quite disappointed by his paso doble performance last week - okay before everyone boos my comment - with that being said, I am still extremely upset that Blake got vote off. Weeks after weeks, Jamile has showed improvements and determination in mastering the dance moves that were not his elements but hey, I cannot use mastering since he was barely giving us the flavor or the spirit of each dance. You have to give him A for effort but to allow him to stay on and boot Blake is a major letdown for the audiences for sure. We, as audience, are not only robbed of the face off between Blake and Nick - who in my opinion are two of the best dancers in the competition but at the same time, makes this competition less thrilling that it was. I agree taking Blake away from the competition definitely decrease the spice and fire in the competition but I am glad that Nick is in the game. I think Nick has been wonderful. You see him grow each and everyday. I was disappointed by his solo piece last week but loved his solo piece this week. I wish him all the best!! He took the hip hop moves to another level just like Ashle did but I think Nick stole the limelight there for me.
As for the girls, goodness, I start out as Melanie fan but was very disappointed again and again with her solo piece. I agree with one of the commenter on this site that yes, it is all the cute smile, the fingers on the chin, the crazy hair etc. Goodness, it may be the Melanie element but it is getting old, but yet I agree that by pairing with Nick - she has grown a lot and is finally showing us a side of her that is versatile and that she can get out of her element - being individualis is good but being boring and the same - well, especially in art is different. And I love when you throw her around she always land so light and weightless - it is just perfect.
Ashle - I love her solo piece - it always has a wild flavor to it. IT has a very primitive - yes - that is the word yet there is grace. She is versatile I totally agree and she grew tremendously but, for some reasons, there is something lacking in her that just did not click with me. But hey, everyone has a different opinion. But the routine with both girl just outshine the guys - seriously. I have yet to see the girls dance so much better than the guys. I think Melanie is a strong dancer but depends too much on sex appeal and Ashle is a good versatile dancer bu lack a certain X factor!
So I really will vote for Nick! Go Nick! Go! :)
25 - Donny
I think everyone is very harsh on Jamile. ok so jamile isnt the most versatile dancer but you cant slay him for not being good as blake or nick. blake and nick had special training since they were young. Jamile has probably taught himself how to dance. People (like me) probably vote for Jamile because he is growing as a dancer. you cant blame if for learning dances in 1 week while it takes years to master. i think people vote for him because he is a underdog. OH and about the black vote thing.... thats a pretty ignorant thing to say because im white and i think jamile is ok